Now in it’s fifth year, the Cork-based INDIEPENDENCE (and that’s not a typo) Music & Arts Festival has established a strong reputation. Arguably it is to Electric PIcnic what E.P is to Oxegen – smaller venue, more alternative acts, more relaxed atmosphere. It’s cheaper too, €79 for a weekend camping pass.
Shane Dunne, Event Coordinator of INDIEPENDENCE is hoping this years event is more of the same. “Last years audience was slightly older, averaged from 22/23 upwards, it gave the festival a nice, relaxed feel despite the poor weather so something like that again would be great.” he said.
With a new venue this year at Deer Park, MIchelstown should attract a festival savvy crowd of up to 5,000. The line-up has a decent mix of well-regarded international bands (Howya, ‘White Lies’ and ‘Alabama 3′?), great Irish live acts (what’s the craic ‘God is an Astronaut’ and ‘Delorentos’?) and next big things (how are ya keeping, are you in good form ‘Sweet Jane’ and ‘Riptide Movement’?)
“I guess its special for the same reasons that its a bit different, its small and intimate, we have a great new site this year, all of the arenas are covered so while we expect sunshine, we are prepared for rain,” said Shane Dunne. “This year there’s loads of new site art that we haven’t had before and activities like zorb balling and 5-a-side soccer. There’s even an area for the kids.”
The Low Down:
What?
INDIEPENDENCE (that’s still not a typo) is an independently run festival weekender. The event takes place across 4 stages and with a capacity of 5,000.
Where?
At Deer Park Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, a different venue to last year. Deer Park is located on the old Dublin Road out of Mitchelstown. It is less than 1 miles from the centre of Mitchelstown.
When?
August Bank holiday which falls on July 31st & August 1st 2010. The campsite opens on July 30th at 4:00PM
Tickets?
There are weekend camping and weekend non-camping tickets available at €79 and €59 respectively. If travelling by car a parking ticket will also be required. These are priced at €10. Contact Ticketgroup directly on Tel: 0818 33 33 44 or ticketgroup.ie
Camping?
Yep, the campsite opens at 4PM Friday 30th July and will close 1pm Mon 2nd August.
Other Facilities?
There are hot showers, wash basins and toilets. Their location will be shown on the festival map. Separate Male & Female showers are available but these will be communal.
Food & Drink?
The Bars on-site are open from 2pm to 10pm daily. Variety of food available on site. Bars and restaurants of Mitchelstown are just a few short minutes walk away.
The Line Up:
Adebisi Shank, Agbonlahor, Alabama 3, Alan Murphy, Alterousa, Ana Gog, And So I Watch You From Afar, Autumn Owls, Clive Barnes, Codes, Darragh O’Sullivan, Dashka LIVE, DC Tempest, Deaf Radio, Death Disco, Deburca, Delorentos, Dirty Fix, Disconauts LIVE, Doctor Leaves, Dr. Feekenstein, Duke Special, Echogram, Fingersmith, Fiona Kiely, Fish Go Deep, Fred, Froud, Ghetto Amaretto, Ghostcat, Grand Pocket Orchestra, Grandmaster Cash, Harry J, Heritage Centre, Hoarsebox, Jape, Joe Echo, John Blek & The Rats, John Shelly & The Creatures, Karman Line, Ken Maloney & Darren O’Hara, Ladydoll, Loveless Lemon, Low Mountain, Marian Trapassi, Miracle Bell, Niamh Danger, O Emperor, Palko, Panama Kings, Preachers Son, Reverend & The Makers, Rose O’Reilly, Scuba Dice, Sean McKeown & Richie O’Gorman, Setmaker, Shouting at Planes, Sounds of System Breakdown, Storyfold, Suede Halo, Super Extra Bonus Party, Sweet Jane, The Chapters, The Coronas, The Flaws, The Funeral Suits The Hot Sprockets, The Laughing Langers Comedy Club, The Loaded Kings, The Making, The Minutes, The Parade, The Riptide Movement, The Turntable Instrumentalists, The Vital Spark, This Way Up, Time is a Thief, Tiny Little Minds Underground Comedy Club, Waterford Collective DJ’s, White Lies, Wiggle, Yes Cadets, Yesterdays Heroes
Comedy:
Gary Lynch Presents….
Greg Marks
Ian Perth
Kevin Doyle
Finbarr Coveney
Gary Lynch
Pat O’Shea Presents…
Peter Carroll – Mind Reader/Comedian
John Brennan
Lisa Joyce
Ben Buckley
John Cronin
Pat O’Shea
By: Kev Donnellon
